Bill was born in Swan River, Manitoba on February 20, 1930. On October 31, 1951, he married Yvette Martel. Soon after they started raising their family in Flin Flon, Manitoba raising their three daughters, Susan, Sheila and Karen and their son Bruce. He retired to Kelowna, BC and enjoyed his active retirement years.
Bill moved to Mafeking in his early years and grew up on a small working farm. As a child he grew up learning all about farming and homesteading raising animals, hunting, trapping and logging on their quarter section of land.
Bill moved to Pine Falls taking a job as a truck driver during the construction of the Powerview Dam on the Winnipeg River. There, he met his life partner of 69 years, Yvette, who he lost just four months ago.
Bill moved back to Mafeking to pursue his goal of becoming a farmer on the family land. They setup a homestead and took on the challenges of living the farming life clearing bush, raising animals and growing food. Bill sold eggs and honey shipping them on the CN main line to Swan River for sale to local stores.
Following the birth of their first daughter Susan, a move was made to Flin Flon where Bill raised his family for the next 35 years. With his homesteading background, Bill became known as a talented carpenter and mechanic helping many of his friends and doing many renovations to his house.
Retiring from the HBM&S mining company after 33 years, Bill and Yvette made the move to Kelowna, BC and enjoyed the warm climate for over 30 years making many friends. Bill had an active retirement playing horseshoes, taking up square dancing, participating on the condo board and continuing to be a Mr. Fixit for friends. Bill and Yvette moved to Calgary in 2018 to be close to their family in their twilight years.
Bill is survived by his daughters, Susan Coles (Ron), Sheila Lee (Loren) and Karen Laird (Ovide Huberdeau); son Bruce Waite (Tiffany); grandchildren Carmen Deller (Leon), Kimberly Sorenson (Steve), Cassie Dewdney (Andrew), Karen Oun (Souk), Jared Laird (Sophie) and Hailey Laird (Nick Carr); great-grandchildren Alyssa Graham (Alex), Darian Ciesla, Ryland Ciesla, Blake Sorenson, Ashlyn Sorenson, Brianna Dewdney, Kalee Maier, Dawson Maier, Spencer Oun, Brooklyn Oun, Cypher Baptiste, Hendrix Baptiste and Willa Laird. Bill was predeceased by his wife Yvette, mother and father Mabel and Thomas, brothers Stanley, Arthur, Jack, Carter, sister Vivian, granddaughters Rachelle Lee, Brandy Lee and Chealsey Laird and son-in-law Rob Laird.
A Celebration of Life will be held at South Calgary Funeral Centre (12700 Macleod Trail, Calgary), Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.
A reception in honour of both our parents, Bill & Yvette Waite will be held after the service at Sheila’s residence.
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